Van Gogh & Cezanne in Roman Provence

The sun-drenched fields of lavender, wheat and sunflowers epitomise the countryside of Provence and inspired the Post-Impressionists, Van Gogh and Cezanne. This tour includes the towns of Arles and Aix-en-Provence where the artists painted, as well as the surrounding countryside. Centuries earlier, the Romans ruled the area and Arles was known as the Rome of the north. The Romans built spectacular structures, including the three-tier Pont-du-Gard, the theatre at Orange and the amphitheatre at Nimes.

ITINERARY

• DAY 1 - ARRIVE MARSEILLE
  We fly from London to Marseille and transfer to our hotel in the walled city of Avignon. L’Hôtel de L’Horloge is a 4 star property set in an historic building in the centre of Avignon.

• DAY 2 - AVIGNON
  A walking tour of Avignon will include the famous bridge, Pont Saint Benezet and the Romanesque cathedral. The Petit Palace displays mediaeval art and Provencal collections in a former Archbishop’s palace. A highlight of the day will be the splendid Palace of the Popes, built in the 14th century at a time when there were seven successive French popes.

• DAY 3 - NIMES
  We drive to the spectacular example of Roman engineering at the Pont du Gard aqueduct, a three-tiered structure that supplied water to Nimes. We visit Nimes to see Maison Carrée Roman Temple, the amphitheatre, Temple of Diana (actually a Roman Library) and the Tour Magne.

• DAY 4 - ORANGE
  We drive to Orange, the ancient Roman garrison town, famous for its theatre with wonderful acoustics and the Roman Arc de Triomphe. Continue to the Roman and mediaeval town of Vaison-la-Romaine, set in a river valley in Haut Vaucluse with a Roman bridge that survived many floods. Driving back through the Côte du Rhône vineyards, we will stop at Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste the wines of the region.

• DAY 5 - ARLES
  We drive to Arles, gateway to the Camargue and inspiration for Vincent Van Gogh. Our walking tour of Arles, includes the Roman amphitheatre, arena and the Romanesque cathedral of St. Trophime. After free time for lunch, we focus on Van Gogh’s life in Arles and visit the Alyscamps, an atmospheric ancient cemetery that he painted.

• DAY 6 - AIX-EN-PROVENCE
  We drive to Aix-en-Provence, home to Cézanne, who was dazzled by the striking light of Provence. We visit Cézanne’s studio and the Musée Granet, that exhibits a wide range of works including 20th century French Provencal painting.

• DAY 7 - GLANUM
  We drive to the Celtic-Ligurian sanctuary at Glanum, Romanised by Augustus, to see the distinctive Roman monuments. Van Gogh spent a year at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole sanatorium where he looked out over the wheat fields that inspired many of his works. Nearby, in the chic town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, there will be free time to explore.

• DAY 8 - FLY TO LONDON
  We check out of the hotel and drive to Marseille for a walk through the old port and town. This afternoon we drive to Marseille airport for the flight to London.